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Abstract:

A chassis for a plurality of computers for use in a data center, the
chassis at least one extensible fin, the fin either extensible
perpendicularly from the front of the chassis or extensible parallel with
the front of the chassis.

Claims:

1. A chassis for a plurality of computers for use in a data center, the
chassis comprising: at least one extensible fin, the fin being extensible
perpendicularly from the front of the chassis.

2. The chassis of claim 1 wherein the fin is a collapsible accordion
panel.

3. The chassis of claim 1 wherein the fin is a rigid panel with a
slidable engagement with the chassis.

4. The chassis of claim 1 wherein the fin is a rigid panel with a hinged
engagement with the chassis.

5. The chassis of claim 1 wherein the fin includes a connector to connect
the fin to another chassis.

6. The chassis of claim 1 wherein the fin includes a connector to connect
the fin to the fin of another chassis.

7. The chassis of claim 1 further comprising two fins extensible from
each side of the chassis.

8. The chassis of claim 1 wherein the chassis is a chassis of a blade
environment containing a plurality of blade servers.

9. A chassis for a plurality of computers for use in a data center, the
chassis comprising: at least one extensible fin, the fin being extensible
parallel with the front of the chassis.

10. The chassis of claim 9 wherein the fin is a collapsible accordion
panel.

11. The chassis of claim 9 wherein the fin is a rigid panel with a
slidable engagement with the chassis.

12. The chassis of claim 9 wherein the fin is a rigid panel with a hinged
engagement with the chassis.

13. The chassis of claim 9 wherein the fin includes a connector to
connect the fin to another chassis.

14. The chassis of claim 9 wherein the fin includes a connector to
connect the fin to the fin of another chassis.

15. The chassis of claim 9 further comprising two fins extensible from
each side of the front of chassis.

16. The chassis of claim 15 including two additional fins on each side of
the back of the chassis and extensible parallel to the back of the
chassis.

17. A method of organizing a data center, the data center including a
plurality of blade environments, each blade environment including a
chassis having at least one extensible fin which is extensible
perpendicularly with respect to the front of the chassis, and wherein the
data center includes a perforated tile floor and an air conditioning
system to blow cool air below the floor, the air conditioning system
blowing cooled air through the perforated tile floor, the method
comprising: arranging a plurality of blade environments in two rows such
that the front of each of the blade environments of the first row faces
the front of each of the blade environments of the second row; and
extending the fins of each of the chassis of the blade environments to
create an aisle between the rows of blade environments.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein extending the fins of each of the
chassis of the blade environments to create an aisle between the rows of
blade environments further comprises connecting the fin of at least one
of blade environment to the fin of at least one other blade environment.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein extending the fins of each of the
chassis of the blade environments to create an aisle between the rows of
blade environments further comprises connecting the fin of at least one
of the blade environments to the chassis of at least one other blade
environment.

20. A method of organizing a data center, the data center including a
plurality of blade environments, each blade environment including a
chassis having at least one extensible fin which is extensible parallel
with respect to the front of the chassis, and wherein the data center
includes a perforated tile floor and an air conditioning system to blow
cooled air below the floor, the air conditioning system blowing cooled
air through the perforated tile floor, the method comprising: arranging
at least two blade environments such that the front of a first blade
environments faces the front of a second blade environment; and extending
the fins of each of the chassis of the blade environments to create an
aisle between the at least two blade environments.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The field of the invention is chassis for computers in data centers
and data center organization.

[0003] 2. Description Of Related Art

[0004] Typical data centers have floor tiles that are perforated. Air
conditioning systems below the floor blow cooled air through the
perforated floor tiles to cool the computers of the data centers.
Conventional chassis include fans in the chassis that blow the cooled air
over the computers in the chassis

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A chassis for a plurality of computers for use in a data center,
the chassis including at least one extensible fin, the fin either being
extensible perpendicularly from the front of the chassis or being
extensible parallel with the front of the chassis.

[0006] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will be apparent from the following more particular
descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the invention as illustrated in
the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generally
represent like parts of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 sets forth a block diagram of an aerial view of a data
center organized according to embodiments of the present invention and
including a plurality of chassis each including a plurality of computers
for use in the data center.

[0008] FIG. 2 sets forth a diagram of a blade environment having a chassis
according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 3 sets forth a block diagram of an aerial view of a data
center organized according to some embodiments of the present invention
and including a plurality of chassis each including a plurality of
computers for use in the data center.

[0012] Exemplary chassis for use in data centers and methods for
organizing data centers in accordance with the present invention are
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, beginning with
FIG. 1. FIG. 1 sets forth a block diagram of an aerial view of a data
center (201) organized according to embodiments of the present invention
and including a plurality of chassis (102) each including a plurality of
computers for use in the data center. A data center is a facility used to
house computer systems and associated components, such as
telecommunications and storage systems. Data centers typically also
include redundant or backup power supplies, redundant data communications
connections, and environmental controls such as air conditioning, fire
suppression, and security devices.

[0013] The data center (201) of FIG. 1 has a perforated tile floor (100)
and an air conditioning system to blow cooled air beneath the perforated
tile floor. Cooled air is blown from beneath the perforated tile floor of
data center to cool the computers contained in the chassis (102) of the
data center.

[0014] The data center (201) of FIG. 1 includes a number of chassis (102)
each containing a plurality of computers for use in a data center (201).
Each chassis (201) of the data center (201) includes at least one
extensible fin (112a and 112b). In the example of FIG. 1 each chassis has
two fins (112a and 112b) extensible from each side of the chassis and the
fins are extensible perpendicularly (131) from the front (101) of the
chassis (102). The extensible fins are typically the height of the
chassis or tall enough to usefully create aisles between the chassis of
the data center. Extensible fins for chassis according to embodiments of
the present invention may be integrated in the chassis when the chassis
is build or added on after the chassis is built or integrated with the
chassis in any other way that will occur to those of skill in the art.
Extensible fins for chassis according to embodiments of the present
invention may be implemented as collapsible accordion panels, rigid
panels with a slidable engagements with the chassis, rigid panels with
hinged engagements, or any other type of fins and engagement that will
occur to those of skill in the art.

[0015] Each chassis (102) of the data center (201) of FIG. 1 has a front
(101) and a back (103). The chassis of FIG. 1 are arranged in rows with
the front (101) of each chassis in each row facing the front (101) of
each chassis (102) in a next row and the back (103) of each chassis in a
row facing the back (103) of each chassis in a next row. Each fin (112a
and 112b) of each chassis of FIG. 1 has at least one connector to connect
the fin to either another chassis or to connect the fin to the fin of
another chassis. In this way, aisles are formed between the rows of
chassis.

[0016] The chassis (102) of the data center also contain fans to blow air
from the front of the chassis across the computers of the chassis to the
back of the chassis. The extensible fins of the chassis of the data
center of FIG. 1 therefore create a cold aisle (105) between the rows of
chassis whose fronts (101) face one anther and a hot aisle (107) between
the rows of chassis whose backs (103) face one another. In alternative
embodiments, fans may blow air in the other direction over the computers
of the chassis thereby reversing the hot and cold aisles.

[0017] After blowing across the chassis hot air may be captured from the
hot aisle then cooled. The recaptured air may then be returned to a cold
aisle increasing efficiency and regulating air flow.

[0018] The arrangement of servers and other devices making up the
exemplary system illustrated in FIG. 1 are for explanation, not for
limitation. Data processing systems useful according to various
embodiments of the present invention may include additional servers,
routers, other devices, and peer-to-peer architectures, not shown in FIG.
1, as will occur to those of skill in the art. Networks in such data
processing systems may support many data communications protocols,
including for example TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), IP (Internet
Protocol), HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), WAP (Wireless Access
Protocol), HDTP (Handheld Device Transport Protocol), and others as will
occur to those of skill in the art. Various embodiments of the present
invention may be implemented on a variety of hardware platforms in
addition to those illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0019] For further explanation, FIG. 2 sets forth a diagram of a blade
environment having a chassis according to embodiments of the present
invention. The example of FIG. 2 includes a blade environment (192).
`Blade environment,` as the term is used in this specification, refers
generally to a blade server system installed in this example in a two-bay
chassis (102) and including a number of blade servers (124), one or more
blade management modules (152), a media tray (122), and a blade server
system power supply (132).

[0020] The blade management module (152) is a small computer in its own
right, including software and hardware components, one or more computer
processors and computer memory, that provides system management functions
for all components in the example blade environment (192) including the
blade servers (124) and the media tray (122). The blade management module
of FIG. 2 also makes available connections for user input devices such as
mice or keyboards (181) that are not generally connected directly to the
blade servers or to the blade environment chassis. The blade servers
themselves (124), installed in a cabinet bay (126) of the exemplary blade
environment (192) in the example of FIG. 2, are several computing devices
implemented in blade form factor. The blade servers share access to the
media tray (122). The blade servers (124) are connected to one another
and to the blade management module (152) for data communications through
a local area network (LAN) (101). The LAN (101) is a small network
installed within the chassis of the blade environment.

[0022] The chassis (102) of the blade environment of FIG. 2 includes two
hot or cold aisle creation fins (112a and 112b) which are extensible
perpendicularly from the front of the chassis. The hot or cold aisle
creation fins (112a and 112b) in FIG. 2 are implemented as rigid panels
that are slidably engaged with the chassis. That is, the fins (112a and
112b) slide out perpendicularly with respect to the front of the chassis.
Each fin (112a and 112b) has a fin connector (105a and 105b) which may be
used to connect the fin to either the fin of another chassis or to
another chassis itself. Such connectors may be implemented as latches,
fasteners, hook fasters and others as will occur to those of skill in the
art. With the fins extended between a number of chassis according to the
example of FIG. 1 a hot or cold aisle may be created on the perforated
tile floor (100) of a data center.

[0023] The arrangement of the blade environment (192), network (101), and
other devices making up the exemplary system illustrated in FIG. 2 are
for explanation, not for limitation. Data processing systems useful
according to various embodiments of the present invention may include
additional servers, routers, and other devices, not shown in FIG. 2, as
will occur to those of skill in the art. Networks in such data processing
systems may support many data communications protocols, including for
example TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), IP (Internet Protocol), HTTP
(HyperText Transfer Protocol), WAP (Wireless Access Protocol), HDTP
(Handheld Device Transport Protocol), and others as will occur to those
of skill in the art. Various embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented on a variety of hardware platforms in addition to those
illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0024] In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the chassis included fins that
were extensible perpendicularly with respect to the front of the chassis.
In alternative embodiments, chassis according to embodiments of the
present invention may include fins that are extensible in a manner
parallel with the front of the chassis. For further explanation, FIG. 3
sets forth a block diagram of an aerial view of a data center (201)
organized according to some embodiments of the present invention and
including a plurality of chassis (102) each including a plurality of
computers for use in the data center. The data center (201) of FIG. 3,
like the data center of FIGS. 1 and 2, has a perforated tile floor (100)
beneath which is installed an air conditioning system. Cooled air is
blown from beneath the perforated tile floor of data center to cool the
computers contained in the chassis (102) of the data center.

[0025] The data center (201) of FIG. 3 includes a number of chassis (102)
each containing a plurality of computers for use in a data center (201).
Each chassis (102) of FIG. 3 includes two extensible fin (412a and 412b)
that are extensible in a manner that is parallel (133) with the front
(101) of the chassis (102). Each chassis (102) of FIG. 3 also includes
two extensible fins (412c and 412d) that are extensible in a manner that
is parallel with the back (103) of the chassis (102). Extensible fins for
chassis according to embodiments of the present invention may be
integrated in the chassis when the chassis is build or added on after the
chassis is built or installed in the data center or integrated with the
chassis in other ways as will occur to those of skill in the art.
Extensible fins for chassis according to embodiments of the present
invention may be implemented as collapsible accordion panels, rigid
panels with a slidable engagements with the chassis, rigid panels with
hinged engagements, or any other type of fins or engagement that will
occur to those of skill in the art.

[0026] Each chassis (102) of the data center (201) of FIG. 3 has a front
(101) and a back (103). The chassis of FIG. 3 are arranged in rows such
that at least two chassis (102) of a row have fronts (101) that face one
another and have backs (103) that face one another. Each fin (112a and
112b) of each chassis of FIG. 1 has connector to connect the fin (412c
and 412d) of another chassis. Such connectors may be implemented as
latches, fasteners, hook fasters and others as will occur to those of
skill in the art. In alternative embodiments, the fins of the chassis may
connect directly to another chassis rather than to the fins of another
chassis.

[0027] The chassis (102) of the data center also contain fans to blow air
from the front of the chassis across the computers of the chassis to the
back of the chassis. In each row of the example of FIG. 3, the extensible
fins therefore create a cold aisle (105) between the chassis whose fronts
(101) face one anther and a hot aisle (107) between the chassis whose
backs (103) face one another. In alternative embodiments, fans may blow
air in the other direction over the computers of the chassis thereby
reversing the hot and cold aisles.

[0028] After blowing across the chassis hot air may be captured from the
hot aisle then cooled. The recaptured air may then be returned to a cold
aisle increasing efficiency and regulating air flow.

[0029] In the example of FIG. 3, the fins on each of the two rows of
chassis are engaged to create two sets of hot and cold aisles. In
alternative embodiments, the two rows of chassis may be placed side to
side such that the chassis are next to one another. In such embodiments,
extending the outside fins of each chassis creates a single and larger
hot aisle and a single and larger cold aisle instead of two hot and cold
aisles.

[0030] The arrangement of servers and other devices making up the
exemplary system illustrated in FIG. 3 are for explanation, not for
limitation. Data processing systems useful according to various
embodiments of the present invention may include additional servers,
routers, other devices, and peer-to-peer architectures, not shown in FIG.
1, as will occur to those of skill in the art. Networks in such data
processing systems may support many data communications protocols,
including for example TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), IP (Internet
Protocol), HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), WAP (Wireless Access
Protocol), HDTP (Handheld Device Transport Protocol), and others as will
occur to those of skill in the art. Various embodiments of the present
invention may be implemented on a variety of hardware platforms in
addition to those illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0031] For further explanation, FIG. 4 sets forth a flow chart
illustrating an exemplary method for organizing a data center. The data
center of the example of FIG. 4 includes a plurality of blade
environments, each blade environment including a chassis having at least
one extensible fin which is extensible perpendicularly with respect to
the front of the chassis. The data center also includes a perforated tile
floor and an air conditioning system below the floor and air conditioning
system blows cooled air through the perforated tile floor.

[0032] The method of FIG. 4 includes arranging (402) a plurality of blade
environments in two rows such that the front of each of the blade
environments of the first row faces the front of each of the blade
environments of the second row. Arranging (402) a plurality of blade
environments in two rows such that the front of each of the blade
environments of the first row faces the front of each of the blade
environments of the second row results in an organization of blade
environments similar to the example of FIG. 1.

[0033] The method of FIG. 4 also includes extending (404) the fins of each
of the chassis of the blade environments to create an aisle between the
rows of blade environments. Extending (404) the fins of each of the
chassis of the blade environments to create an aisle between the rows of
blade environments may be carried out by connecting the fin of at least
one of blade environment to the fin of at least one other blade
environment. Extending (404) the fins of each of the chassis of the blade
environments to create an aisle between the rows of blade environments
may also be carried out by connecting the fin of at least one of the
blade environments to the chassis of at least one other blade
environment.

[0034] For further explanation, FIG. 5 sets forth a flow chart
illustrating an exemplary method for organizing a data center. The data
center of the example of FIG. 5 includes a plurality of blade
environments, each blade environment including a chassis having at least
one extensible fin which is extensible parallel with respect to the front
of the chassis. The data center also includes a perforated tile floor and
an air conditioning system below the floor and air conditioning system
blows cooled air through the perforated tile floor.

[0035] The method of FIG. 5 includes arranging (502) at least two blade
environments such that the front of a first blade environments faces the
front of a second blade environment. Arranging (502) at least two blade
environments such that the front of a first blade environments faces the
front of a second blade environment results an organization of blade
environments similar to the example of FIG. 3.

[0036] The method of FIG. 5 also includes extending (504) the fins of each
of the chassis of the blade environments to create an aisle between the
at least two blade environments. Extending (504) the fins of each of the
chassis of the blade environments to create an aisle between the rows of
blade environments may be carried out by connecting the fin of at least
the first blade environment to the fin of at least the second blade
environment. Extending (504) the fins of each of the chassis of the blade
environments to create an aisle between the rows of blade environments
may also be carried out by connecting the fin of at least the first blade
environment to the chassis of at least the second blade environment.

[0037] It will be understood from the foregoing description that
modifications and changes may be made in various embodiments of the
present invention without departing from its true spirit. The
descriptions in this specification are for purposes of illustration only
and are not to be construed in a limiting sense. The scope of the present
invention is limited only by the language of the following claims.